WWE SmackDown: Burning Questions to Address After Nov. 22 Show

The first WWE SmackDown after Sunday's Survivor Series pay-per-view filled out the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs card in a hurry. 

By the end of the night, a handful of grudge matches were set, as was Alexa Bliss' rematch against Becky Lynch. But as much as we know about the Dec. 4 PPV, there is still plenty left unclear.

Where does the newly signed James Ellsworth fit into the mix? Are Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton poised to push aside American Alpha to become the top contenders to the SmackDown Tag Team Championships? Is Undertaker going to be around for the show at all? 

Tuesday's SmackDown constructed much of the TLC PPV. Let's take a long look at all the holes left to fill in that process by breaking down the week's biggest burning questions.

What's the Plan for Ellsworth?

Ellsworth earned a SmackDown contract and a future WWE World Championship match by defeating AJ Styles in a ladder match on Tuesday. Yes, you read that right.

WWE will now showcase the jobber-turned-star on a regular basis, trying to ride the wave of his popularity. 

What kind of role will he play moving forward? Will the Cinderella story continue? Will he be more of a sidekick and cheerleader?

This is a difficult situation to read. Few would have imagined Ellsworth would have been on SmackDown's center stage for this long. 

The natural arc of the story seemed to be when Ellsworth redeemed himself by helping Ambrose knock off Styles on Nov. 1. But WWE is moving beyond that, and there is no blueprint to follow. A lovable loser like Ellsworth hasn't made it this far before.

Whether it's a smash hit or a dumpster fire, what WWE has cooked up for Ellsworth will be one of the reasons to tune in to SmackDown every Tuesday.

Are Wyatt and Orton Closing in on Gold?

The Tag Team Turmoil match will feature an epilogue. American Alpha outlasted five other teams, including The Usos, to earn the No. 1 contenders' spot. Or so the emerging team thought.

The Wyatt Family appeared on the big screen to announce it was coming for Chad Gable and Jason Jordan.

WWE then revealed on Talking Smack that Wyatt and Orton will face American Alpha next week for the right to take on Heath Slater and Rhyno for the tag team titles. 

Does that mean American Alpha's title dreams will be ripped apart again? Are Wyatt and Orton on a collision course with the champs?

PW Stream is among those who would be plenty OK with that scenario:

Wyatt has yet to win a championship on the main roster. He and The Viper would make great top heels for the tag team division. And as tag champ and co-ruler of SmackDown's tag scene, Wyatt would get the boost many have been calling for him to get for a long time.

Plus, The Wyatt Family vs. Slater and Rhyno would feature a more conventional heel-face dynamic than American Alpha challenging the titleholders.

All signs are pointing to The Wyatt Family reigning. But WWE hasn't been consistent in elevating The Eater of Worlds. It's hard to bet on him until he starts winning big matches more often.

Is a Gimmick Match on the Way for Bliss and Lynch?

The next Lynch and Bliss bout for the SmackDown Women's Championship is official. The Lass Kicker welcomed Bliss' challenge on Tuesday's SmackDown.

WWE soon announced the match as part of the TLC card:

There's no mystery in Lynch's opponent for the PPV now, but there is in terms of just what kind of match awaits the two. TLC is built around gimmick matches, but women rarely engage in contests involving tables, ladders and chairs.

Will SmackDown follow Raw's lead and make history? Will Lynch and Bliss clash in the first-ever female TLC match or be the first WWE women to compete in a ladder match since Beth Phoenix and Katie Lea in 2006?

In October, Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair were the first women to enter Hell in a Cell. It could be Lynch and Bliss' turn.

Nikki Bella vs. Carmella is already set to be a No Disqualification match. SmackDown is now poised to take things further with its other women's division feud.

How Much Will We See Undertaker?

Last Tuesday, The Deadman announced he was back. He told Team SmackDown that, if it lost at Survivor Series, it would have reason to fear him.

Wyatt and Orton led the way for the blue brand's victory, so there was no need for any punishment from Undertaker. Maybe that's why he didn't show up to SmackDown at all this time.

But he had said WrestleMania would no longer define him. He implied that he would work a much more loaded schedule than normal.

Wrestling Inc wondered if Undertaker would do as promised on Tuesday's SmackDown:

He did not. He won't be around full-time, but what will his role be? How often will he show up? Should we wait until the build for Royal Rumble to start expecting him?

The TLC card is already filling up. There is no obvious matchup for him there. It's more likely WWE is saving him for the Rumble in his home state of Texas.

But even during that stretch, it's uncertain if Undertaker sightings will be bi-monthly or less frequent. His speech last week wasn't specific. And wrestlers don't always stay true to their word.